10 COOLEST FEATURES ON THE GOOGLE PIXEL 3 & PIXEL 3 XL

Today, Google announced (and released on pre-order) its new Pixel devices: Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. And what they revealed is super impressive, especially the upgraded camera. According to Google’s hardware SVP Rick Osterloh, “For life on the go, we designed the world’s best camera and put it in the world’s most helpful phone.”

If you’re choosing to “Go there with Pixel”, we want to ensure you have the proper case to protect it whenever and wherever you go. Go here to shop them now.

With so many amazing features to wrap your head around in each device, we took the liberty of rounding up the top 10 we think are the coolest. Check it out:

SURPRISINGLY, THE CAMERA IS EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE

It’s a widely popular opinion that the Pixel 2 has the best camera out of any of its rivals, which made it challenging for Google to outdo themselves—and yet they have. Both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have a single rear 12.2-megapixel camera on the back (like Pixel 2), but the front now has two-front facing cameras, where one offers a wider angle. But it’s not just the hardware that’s impressive, it’s what’s going on underneath too.

Google introduced Top Shot, an option on the Pixel 3/3 XL’s 12.2-megapixel camera that will select the best photo from a burst of shots, thanks to Google’s AI technology. With this feature, photo-taking should be pretty foolproof (and reduce the times you have to settle for a group shot with one person’s eyes closed).

There’s also Super Res Zoom and Night Sight. The former uses machine-learning to improve the digital zoom so it’s clean, clear and blur-free, while the latter—Night Sight—also uses machine-learning to take super clear low light photos without a flash.

NEXT-LEVEL SELFIE CAPABILITIES

Yes, we already touched on the amazing camera, but we just had to give the two front-facing cameras a little more attention. The new second camera offers a wide-angle lens so that you can fit more in the field of view—that means you can take better group selfies and actually get everyone in the shot. According to Google, the second camera is able to capture “184 percent more of the scene than the iPhone Xs”. (Let’s hope this also helps make selfie sticks a thing of the past.)

BUILT-IN GOOGLE LENS

Get more information about what you’re seeing in the real world. Google Lens is now integrated into the camera app on Pixel 3/3 XL, so it’ll automatically produce results when it detects something, like translating text on a sign or by long pressing, it’ll find a similar product online that you’re looking at in person. The bonus: Google Lens even works without a data connection!

ONE OF THE MOST AFFORDABLE PREMIUM SMARTPHONES

Smartphone prices seem to just be going higher as new features are being improved and added (all the more reason to better protect it with a durable case, right?), but, luckily, Google is packing a lot of amazing things into a phone priced a little more affordably than its direct competitors. Here are the prices:

Pixel 3 (5.5-inch screen): 64GB at $799 | 128GB at $899

Pixel 3XL (6.3-inch screen): 64GB at $899 | 128GB at $999

IMPROVED SCREEN-TO-BODY RATIO

Google trimmed down the bezels, which means both new Pixels have bigger screens than last year’s Pixel 2/2 XL. The Pixel 3 is up to 5.5 inches from a 5-inch screen, while Pixel 3 XL’s screen is now 6.3 inches compared to the previous 6 inches. But bigger screens don’t mean bigger phones—the actual size of the devices are pretty close to their previous versions.

ONE NEW COLOR AND TWO STAPLES

Just like the Pixel 2, Google designed the new Pixel 3/3 XL in its two staple colors: Just Black and Clearly White. But for those who want a little pop of color on their device, the Pixel 3/3 XL comes in the new (cleverly named) Not Pink color—a fun departure from the Kinda Blue color on Pixel 2.

FREE, UNLIMITED STORAGE

Never worry about making space on your Pixel 3 by having to delete photos or videos. With Google Photos, you’ll get free, unlimited storage! Because of this generous perk, you’ll get to save and store all your original quality photos and 4K videos online without having to pay anything or worry about capping out on a storage maximum. Although this isn’t new for Pixel 3, it’s still something to be excited about.

“SOMEONE” TO SCREEN YOUR CALLS

Another new feature Google announced is Call Screen. This is where Google Assistant steps in to screen your spam and solicitor calls. When you get a call, you can let Call Screen take it and Google Assistant will give you a transcript of what the call is about in real time. From there you can decide whether to block the caller or type in responses that the AI will say back to the caller. Basically, your Pixel 3 will answer itself while you decide the next steps from the background.

SUPPORTS WIRELESS CHARGING

We’re all about wireless charging these days, and Google has finally integrated wireless charging into its new Pixel devices. Both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL support wireless charging at up to 10 watts. Google is even releasing the Pixel Stand accessory, a wireless charger that works with the Pixel’s UI to display content, like photo slideshows, music that’s playing, calendar information, weather, etc.

MORE SOPHISTICATED LOOK AND FEEL

A departure from its previous models, Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL now come in an all-glass design. Not only does this give the phone a more premium look and feel, but it allows for wireless charging (see #9 above). The back combines both matte (less fingerprints!) and glossy textured glass—a two-tone look that only elevates the style even more. Additionally, the new Pixel has an overall smoother design—it’s less boxy than previous models with more rounded edges.

Can’t wait to get a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL? Get in on Google’s pre-order period from October 9 through when the devices are available online and in stores on October 18. But don’t forget to keep it protected as soon as you take it out of its box. Shop our protective cases for Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL now.